CIPR becomes first professional body to achieve National Equality Standard
The Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) has become the first professional body to achieve the National Equality Standard (NES). The global body for the PR profession also becomes the first organisation to be assessed for the work and culture of its volunteer network as well as its employed staff, having volunteered to be assessed on these criteria.
The NES is the UK’s leading diversity assessment framework, developed in partnership with the UK government and in collaboration with 20 public and private sector organisations. Over 400 organisations have engaged with the framework that sets clear diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI) criteria against which companies are independently assessed.
The CIPR applied to be assessed in early 2022 and failed its original assessment passing 9 of the 35 competencies. The reassessment confirmed the Institute has been awarded the standard having achieved 27 of the 35 competencies and was announced at a recent CIPR International Group event at the residence of H.E. Charlotte Pierre, British High Commissioner to Mauritius, on the evening of Tuesday, 24 October. The certification lasts for three years until October 2026.
The Institute has recently launched its first Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) strategy, outlining its plans and commitment to drive change inside the Institute and within and beyond the PR industry.
Achieving the NES is one of my proudest moments as CIPR CEO. It is not a tick box exercise. It required months of concerted and sustained effort right across the organisation. It is also a standard of continuous improvement. The work doesn't stop here and we will be expected to show progress in three years at the time of the next assessment.
Receiving external accreditation is the only credible way we can show we are serious about our approach to diversity and inclusion. It demonstrates that we are now beyond ad-hoc initiatives and pledges and, instead, have worked on embedding systemic changes for the long-term success and sustainability of the CIPR and ultimately the wider PR profession. Working towards the NES has certainly been worthwhile and I want to thank all the CIPR staff, our volunteers, and the NES team who helped us with this achievement.
The National Equality Standard is a leading independent benchmark for diversity, equity and inclusion, and involves a rigorous assessment process. The CIPR’s accreditation recognises their commitment to driving progress across the profession, as well as the impact of the actions they have taken to date.
- Find out more about the National Equality Standard
- Find out more about the CIPR's Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy
About the Chartered Institute of Public Relations
Founded in 1948, the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) is the world's only Royal Chartered professional body for public relations practitioners with over 10,000 members.
The CIPR advances professionalism in public relations by making its members accountable to their employers and the public through a code of conduct and searchable public register, setting standards through training, qualifications, awards and the production of best practice and skills guidance, facilitating Continuing Professional Development (CPD), and awarding Chartered Public Relations Practitioner status (Chart.PR).